BOOK SMART: It's time for tales from the crypt

Monday

Oct 2, 2017 at 12:01 AMOct 3, 2017 at 6:03 PM

Nancy Harris

As temperatures begin to drop and night descends earlier, our literary appetites often turn to something darker. With so many novels to choose from about creatures that go bump in the night, why then are readers such fans of the fangs?

The truth is that our society has been mesmerized by vampire stories for centuries. The vampire obsession in popular culture is far from a new trend. The literary vampire first appeared in 18th century poetry and quickly became a stock figure of gothic fiction with the publication of John Polidori’s 1819 novella, “The Vampyre.” Of course, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897) went on to become the basis for most modern vampire fiction.

With Halloween approaching, it seems like a bloody good time to ask then, why are vampires so fascinating to us?

While it doesn’t hurt that vampires are often portrayed as charming, elegant and downright sexy human-like figures possessed of superior abilities of speed, strength, and agility, psychologists would suggest there are other reasons.

From a Freudian perspective, the unconscious is the repository of man’s aggressive and sexual impulses. which are felt to be shameful by us. In vampires, not only are these long-repressed impulses visible, but they are freely acted upon in a way we humans are not free to do. Vampires are the archetypal dangerous bad boys who are ruled by their appetites. They have free reign to do what they want, when they want, to whom they want— and no one dares to stand in their way.

In a similar way, vampires give expression to both our fear of death and our death wish, which Freud believed to exist side-by-side. Death and fear of “what lies beyond” are two of man’s greatest fears. As supernatural beings, vampires achieve immortality—or nearly so—in that they are immune to death by injury, disease, or age. Why then would a reader not be fascinated by supernatural beings who have the eternal youth and immortality most of us envy?

Finally, vampires are outsiders. As a group they are feared and misunderstood, even though they are simply trying to find their way in a constantly changing world. These creatures of the night are loners, but they are perfectly comfortable living a solitary existence on the fringe of society. Since many of us can relate to feeling alienated or different, vampires may give us hope that we can move forward and live life, despite our struggles to conform.

Despite their power and immortality however, vampires pull on our heartstrings. After all, vampires are former humans—victims themselves, unwillingly made into creatures forced to roam the streets and inflict pain or death in order to survive.

While there are many, riveting, blood-pounding vampire novels to choose from, here are three tales that skillfully incorporate the inevitable blood and guts, but also convey the vampire’s unique struggle with love, loss and lust for the forbidden.

“The Quick,” a novel by Lauren Owen, is a disturbing yet highly satisfying and heart pounding vampire tale, set in the same decade and setting as Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Owen adeptly highlights both the grisly details of blood-sucking and the sexual undercurrents of vampirism. Yet, she also sensitively portrays the emotions of both the living and the undead.

“The Quick” begins as the story of an orphaned brother and sister who grow up together and share a close bond. In 1892, younger brother, James Norbury a shy, socially awkward young poet leaves Oxford and finds lodging in London with a charming, young male aristocrat. Through this new relationship James finds both deep friendship and himself. Then one night, he suddenly disappears. Deeply alarmed, loving older sister, Charlotte leaves their crumbling, rural estate determined to find him. Relying on blind courage, Charlotte must negotiate the dangerous, and sinister streets of London. Will she ultimately be able to find her beloved brother and survive the powerful, ambitious and bloodthirsty English gentleman who desperately want to find James as well?

“The Hunger,” by Whitley Strieber, is an imaginative, dark and entertaining tale. Yet, Strieber adds to the genre with his unique portrayal of a powerful, sensual female vampire, who is both an historian of centuries past, and a deadly predator.

As an immortal vampire, Miriam Blaylock has endured tremendous loss. Over the centuries she has watched her cherished lovers wither away and disappear. Now, as she is again facing the imminent loss of a beloved husband, she is determined to find another companion who might actually fill the ache in her heart. When she discovers the brilliant, charming young scientist Sarah Roberts, who is unraveling the secret of eternal youth, she is determined to possess her. Yet, there is one crucial obstacle to overcome. That is, the powerful love of her fellow colleague. Dr. Tom Haver. Will Tom Haver survive their struggle or will Miriam finally succeed in quenching her thirst for love?

“Only The Dead Know Brooklyn,” by Chris Vola is a delightful, fast-paced thriller, which is simply wicked good fun! He also highlights vampire angst.

Ryan Driggs has called Brooklyn his home for 126 years, 96 of them as an immortal. The only genuine problem in his life is love. He has met and fallen hard for Jennifer, a human from Manhattan. The problem is however, if he leaves Brooklyn for any reason he permanently reverts back to his cancer ridden human state. When Jennifer is suddenly kidnapped by a tribe of deadly Manhattan vampires, Ryan faces the choice of a lifetime. Will Ryan forsake the immortality he has been given? Moreover, if he does, will he survive both the cancer and an epic struggle with true evil?

Book Smart is a monthly column by Nancy Harris of Scituate, a practicing psychologist and a former instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.